Under legislative rules, Florida lawmakers are not allowed to fundraise during any session, special, extended or otherwise. Hollywood Democratic Representative Evan Jenne wants to extend that ban to the governor, attorney general, agriculture commissioner and chief financial officer. But no offense to the sitting Cabinet, Jenne said.

“This is no indication on those four individuals. It’s simply a matter of what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. And I believe that this is good public policy and removes the potential appearance, just the appearance, of impropriety,” Jenne said.

And there would be consequences.

“The bill provides that a statewide elected official that knowingly and willingly accepts one contribution during the session commits a misdemeanor of the first degree. However if the official accepts two such contributions, the official would commit a felony of the third degree. And those punishments are the same ones that we face as legislators during the…during session,” Jenne said.

The bill only has one more committee stop before it heads to the House floor.

A state lawmaker is defending one of her staffers, who is accusing former Senator Jack Latvala of sexual harassment, sexual assault and coercion. Florida Senate employee Laura McLeod is the second woman to come forward publicly with allegations against Latvala.

After years of conflict, the U.S. Supreme Court is taking up the case over Florida and Georgia’s water disputes. Somewhat surprisingly, the justices seem sympathetic to Florida’s problems, and that has some of the state’s advocates feeling optimistic.

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, shutting down the island’s roads and power systems, leaving many isolated and in the dark. Now thousands are evacuating the U.S. territory for the mainland. Many may settle in Florida’s purple counties ahead of the 2018 elections.

Whether they know it or not, Florida taxpayers are funding certain statewide political campaigns. Supporters say the practice promotes diversity at the ballot box. But now the speaker of the house is taking aim at the system. Here's a look at who is actually benefiting from public financing.

Florida’s Speaker of the House is promising to pass a bill restricting sanctuary policies in the first week of this year’s legislative session. That’s despite arguments that the plan is unconstitutional.

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